Naoko Skala

Naoko Skala is a scenic designer, scenic artist, props artisan, and educator who was raised in Japan. She joined The College of Wooster as an Assistant Professor of Scenic Design in the Fall of 2020.

Recently, she received a USITT Herbert D. Greggs Merit Award of Outstanding Article for “Introducing Joruri Puppetry” (Winter 2023) and “Experiencing the Japanese Nohgaku Theatre” (Winter 2022), published in Theatre Design and Technology (TD&T).

She has taught courses in Scenic & Properties Design, Stagecraft and Scenic Art, Digital Media Design, Puppetry & Mask Design, Drawing and Rendering, Foundations of Theatrical Design, Asian Theatre: From South to East, and has advised Independent Studies.

Formerly, Naoko worked as an Assistant Professor of Practice in Scenic and Properties Design and Technology at Northern Arizona University and as a properties coordinator at Arizona Opera. As a faculty associate, she also taught a Scene Painting class at Arizona State University. She worked as a freelance scene designer, scenic artist, and props artisan in Mankato, MN, Hilton Head, SC, and Phoenix, AZ.

Naoko received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Scene Design from Minnesota State University, Mankato.  She also received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre from Emporia State University, Kansas, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Japanese Literature from Sagami Women’s University in Japan.

Her creative interests are scenic design, scene painting, props, computer-aided drafting (CAD), graphic design, motion graphics, 3D printing, painting, sculpture, English Literature, and Japanese literature.

• FYSM 10100 – Creative Minds
• FYSM-10100 – Visualizing Human Emotions
• THTD-10200 – Foundations of Theatrical Design
• THTD-20000 – Stagecraft and Scenic Art
• THTD 21000 – Drawing and Rendering for Performing Arts
• THTD-29906 – Asian Theatre: From South to East
• THTD-30201 – Scenic & Properties Design
• THTD-31000 – Digital Media Design for Performing Arts
• THTD-39909 – Puppetry & Mask Design

Book Manuscript

Skala, Naoko I. (Contracted, Forthcoming 2026) “Japanese Traditional Theatre Architecture: Exploring Theatres with Virtual 3D Technology.” New York, NY: Routledge

 Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Skala, Naoko I. “Immersive Kabuki.” Theatre Design & Technology (TD&T) New York, NY: United States Institute for Theatre Technology, 2024, Vol. 60 Issue 4, p24-33. 10p.

Skala, Naoko I. “Introducing Joruri Puppetry.” Theatre Design & Technology, Winter, 2023, pp. 6-17.

Skala, Naoko I. “Experiencing the Japanese Nohgaku Theatre.” Theatre Design & Technology, Winter, 2022, pp. 20–27.

Book Reviews

Skala, Naoko I. “Book Review: Scene Shift: U.S. Set Designers in Conversation.” Theatre Design & Technology (TD&T) New York, NY: United States Institute for Theatre Technology, Fall 2024, Vol. 60 Issue 3, p47-49. 2p.

Skala, Naoko I. “Book Review: Digital Media, Projection Design & Technology for Theatre.” Theatre Design & Technology, Winter, 2023, pp. 48.

Skala, Naoko I. “Book Review: Stagecraft Fundamentals.” Theatre Design & Technology, Winter, 2022, pp. 35.

• Outstanding Article for “Introducing Joruri Puppetry” (Winter 2023); Published in TD&T, USITT Herbert D. Greggs Merit Award (2024)
• Outstanding Article for “Experience the Japanese Nohgaku Theatre” (Winter 2022); Published in TD&T, USITT Herbert D. Greggs Merit Award (2023)
• Special Recognition, The Toy Wilson Blethen Fine Arts Award; Minnesota State University, Mankato (2013)
• KCACTF Certificates of Commendation for Scene Design for The Imaginary Invalid; KCACTF Region V (2013)
• Outstanding Achievement in Prodcution Award for Poster Design for Spring Awakening; Minnesota State University, Mankato (2013)
• KCACTF Certificates of Commendation for Scene Design for Altar Boyz; KCACTF Region V (2012)
• Outstanding Achievement in Production Award for Outstanding Contribution to Theatre Production; Minnesota State University, Mankato (2011-12)
• Outstanding Achievement in Production Award for Scene Design for A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking; Minnesota State University, Mankato (2011)
• Homecoming Scholarship; Emporia State University (2009)
• Karl and Margaret Bruder Scholarship; Emporia State University (2008)